Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Just today in my office, my co-worker brought me an article about mattresses. She teaches yoga part-time and the article was featured in one her balanced living publications.

Most of the new mass production of mattresses contain high contents of toxic materials that are harmful to our delicate systems. The very haven that we must all retreat to every evening is the very place our bodies are taking in toxins during those dreamy hours. Can you imagine what the long term effect will be to our delicate skin and nervous systems...each night, every night, for our entire lifetime...?

Thus, my hunt for the next eco-friendly and human-friendly fabrications for the bedroom.

Keeping with this month's theme of CLOTH, here is a modern line of certified organic cotton bedding from Amenity.The beautiful, blown-out botanical prints feature non-toxic, water-based techniques.And they are produced right here in the United States.One of their earthy designs featured above in cove/cream + moss.www.amenityhome.com

Add some “spice” to your bedroom with this dramatic paprika-colored LUCIA ORGANIC BEDDING from GAIAM. The stunning set features reversible jacquard pattern duvet and shams, with solid coordinating sheets and pillow cases. Made in Portugal of 100% organic cotton. This dramatic color was achieved using low eco-impact dyes.www.gaiam.com

Another luxurious option is the LARCH organic blanket and pillow from UNISON.Design team Robert Segal and Alicia Rosauer launched their uber-modern home textile designs 4 years ago while residing in Finland, and have thus returned to Chicago. Inspired by nature and modernity, their designs feature nature-friendly organic cotton as well. Let this elegant branch motif reach into your bedroom. Made in Portugal of 100% organic cotton.http://www.unisonhome.com/

Monday, May 19, 2008

As one who continues to strive to make personal changes on a daily basis that are more in-synch with "green living",

I have begun to investigate organic cotton.

What truly qualifies as organic cotton?

To get to the facts on certified organic cotton, I went to both the USDA website and Cotton Incorporated.

Cotton Inc. offers the most concise explanation:

" 'Organic' means the cotton is produced to a set of strict USDA standards, enforced by USDA-certifying agents who must annually inspect fields and the operation for adherence to National Organic Program (NOP) standards. NOP standards require a 3-year conversion for land before organic crops can be harvested, so becoming an organic cotton producer is a long-term decision. "

And for those of you concerned with production of organic cotton in other countries as well, the USDA adheres to the following legal standards:

"If cotton is marketed in the United States as organic, regardless of the country of origin, it still must meet the same strict U.S. standards as if it was produced here in the United States. Organic cotton cannot be legally sold, represented, or marketed in the United States unless it meets the rigorous U.S. organic standards that were implemented in October, 2002. And only a USDA-certifying agent can verify that the cotton – wherever it was produced – meets the U.S. standards."

The biggest dilema regarding organic cotton is that many of the mass-market companies such as Walmart who are priding themselves as using organic cotton are utilizing dye methods that are chemical and metal-based dying and finishing techniques. Therefore, the fiber is organic, yet these chemical dyes are running off into water systems, polluting water and lands that they are produced in. Printing methods on organic cotton may also be from toxic chemicals. Finishes used to make home furnishing textiles stain-resistant or flame-retardant contain harsh toxins.

I am inspired to showcase some certified organic cotton products for that utitlize chemical-free dyes and printing processes so that your product is truly keeping the Earth happy and green...more soon!

If you have any more information regarding organic cotton, or products that you have found please feel free to share here on Glass House Living.

Also featured this week will be fun and practical CLOTH items...of a recycled nature

Sunday, May 18, 2008

This week's element:CLOTHThe ways in which cloth can be re-used, recycled into everything that's new againI recently met the very expressive Patty O at the last Green Drinks New York event held at Chelsea Brewing Company. What a great location, right on the water on the West side of Manhattan.Here Patty O has re-invented what to do when you're stuck with some of your ex's old clothes.Simply send her those old jeans, and she will rip them up and remake them into a fabulous new carry-it-all bag...and leave the "baggage" of that last relationship behind!sing it with me, "where everything old is new again..."for more information on Patty O

Welcome to Glass House Living

The philosophy behind Glass House Living is the well-known quote:

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

The Earth is the delicate "glass house" we ALL live in. The more we throw away and pollute, we are those "throwing stones" at the very vulnerable planet we inhabit.Let's all honor the Earth, and celebrate it's natural elements to create a balanced living within our "glass houses"our homesour livesand the life of Earth itself.

About Me

Combining my creative eye in design and passion for preserving the planet, my pursuits have led me to promoting eco-friendly designs. Combining my creative background in fabrications and fashion, and my values from being raised a "farm-girl's" daughter, I am happily pursuing this very fresh approach to finding beautiful designs for the home, in harmony with Earth.